Those who are dealing with the death of a loved one are invited to attend the GriefShare support group, which is being offered at Gateway Church, 160 Cowan Road, Parkesburg. Meetings, which began on Aug. 6, will be held every Tuesday through Oct. 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. in The Venue, a meeting room in the church building.
GriefShare is a nondenominational group that features biblical teaching on grief and recovery topics. "The program is designed for (people) 15 years or older. If a child who is 14 years or younger wants to attend, they must attend with a parent or a guardian," explained co-facilitator Barbara Ranck. "We do get teenagers, senior citizens and all ages in between. We don't have all the generations represented each time, but we have had them throughout the years."
Barbara is a co-facilitator of the group along with her parents, Paul and Twila Ranck, who have offered the GriefShare support group in the Parkesburg area since 2002.
Each GriefShare session begins with introductions and refreshments, including hot tea and coffee. Attendees then watch a video that features real-life stories of people who have experienced loss. "The group will then discuss the video together," said Barbara. "They will talk about what they found helpful, the challenges they are navigating and how the video spoke to what they are dealing with."
People can attend GriefShare at any time because each meeting is self-contained; participants do not have to attend in sequence. Barbara noted that some people repeat the entire course or just the sessions that deal with a particular topic. Session topics include "Why?" and "Challenges of Grief," along with "The Journey of Grief," "Guilt and Anger" and "Heaven."
"They are all very good," said Barbara when asked which sessions seem to be popular with attendees. "'Why?' is one that people often walk away from the most impacted. 'Guilt and Anger' is impactful, too."
Barbara pointed out that at times, friendship groups have formed that continue outside of GriefShare. "Just this past session, there was a group that exchanged phone numbers, and they meet monthly," she said. "During the 13 weeks you make friends that you keep. Strangers become friends, and you stay in contact."
Since it is common for people to have difficulty taking the step to attend their first session, Barbara recommends that they bring a friend or family member. "Oftentimes we do notice that people come with friends. Occasionally, those friends will continue the 13 weeks. But for most, after a couple of weeks in, they don't have to attend on regular basis anymore," she pointed out. "They will continue to be supportive to their grieving friend, but sometimes individuals are empowered and feeling secure enough to come on their own."
In the addition to the weekly GriefShare sessions, "Surviving the Holidays" will be presented on Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 7 to 9 p.m.
For more information about the GriefShare session at Gateway Church or to register, readers may call 610-857-0720, visit http://www.griefshare.org/groups/99777 or email Griefshare@gatewayonechurch.com. More information about the GriefShare program is available at http://www.griefshare.org.
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